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Friday, 13 November, 2015
Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 twitter: @rotifizzle twitter: @fridaytreat
fridaytreat Julius Agwu takes on the ‘devil’ for the soul of Nigerian entertainment Popular comedian, who also doubles as an actor and musician, Julius Agwu, has taken a stand to try to wrestle the ‘soul’ of the Nigerian entertainment industry from the clutches of satan. Agwu, who recently survived a brain surgery after many thought he would die has spoken out in recent times against the ills of the local entertainment industry which he said, thrives on mediocrity. In a recent interview with some journalists, Julius Agwu had stressed that he had spoken to a few friends of his, including Basket Mouth, Bovi and a few others to start a Christian Entertainers Outreach (CEO) which according to him, would stand to educate artistes and the public alike because devil was trying to steal the entertainment industry. He said, “When last did you see me do a show in Lagos. Nothing was working. My CDs, book etc were stagnant. Many said my career was over but
today, God has changed my story. Only a few stood by me. God is doing a new thing in my life and God is using my experience to change lives. The devil wants to steal our industry and we will not allow it. The devil was an entertainer in heaven before he was cast down after he messed up. So his primary target are we entertainers and we must be vigilant. How many more must die? Many are plagued on hospital beds on dialysis and chemotherapy while we watch. Something has to change”, he stressed. Agwu then hinted that the devil was largely responsible for the inability of entertainers to get married but were content with having children outside wedlock for fear of losing the female fan base. He also indicated his intention to start a full Christian club where alcohol would be barred and only Christian music would be played. He also took the opportunity to criticise the likes of D’banj, Don Jazzy, Basket mouth, Banky W, and a host of others, whom he accused of not giving him credit for his help on their blossoming career, stressing that it was the devil that ‘tied’ their mouths.
I won this brand new car for my 86 year old father — GUC winner
On Wednesday, the fourth of November, Benjamin Akuruka, a 300 level undergraduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, told his 86 year old father, Pa Emmanuel Akuruka, that he would drive him home from a wedding ceremony which the octogenarian planned to attend on Saturday, November 7, in a brand new car which he would win in a competition. A very close relative of the Akurukas was the bride getting married that same Saturday and the only mode of transportation available to convey the family to the auspicious occasion was a commercial tricycle, popularly called keke. He then intimated his father of the Gulder Ultimate Chase event which was billed for the same Saturday that his cousin was getting married; as well as his resolve to win the brand new Hyundai Elantra grand prize up for grabs. Even though his father doubted the authenticity of the promo, he gave his son the nod to participate. On the eve of the Owerri edition of the Gulder Ultimate Chase, Benjamin took his mother, Mrs. Victoria Akuraka, to their compound and told her that a brand new car
would be parked there the following day. According to him, he vowed to replace the family car which had to be sold to offset certain financial obligations. On Saturday, November 7, Benjamin joined over 1000 other contestants who had assembled at the Dan Anyiam Stadium to participate in the Owerri leg of the Gulder Ultimate Chase. Despite lagging behind more than 500 contestants, he eventually won the competition and the gift of a brand new Hyundai Elantra car. After his feat, Benjamin was
driven in a convoy to the Presbyterian Church, Aladinma venue of the wedding ceremony of his cousin. This was to enable him fulfill his promise of driving home his father in a brand new car. Earlier calls to his parents had been unfruitful as they were specials guests and were seated on the high table and hence could not receive phone calls. A text message was sent to his mother, informing her of her son’s victory. She later confessed that she received a text message informing her that her son had won a brand new car, but
@ ‘Dexterity at 10’ white ball
Spectre sets new British box office record with £40m in first week The latest James Bond film, ‘Spectre’ has set a new British box office record, taking more than £40m in its first week. Globally, the film has grossed more than £52m, before its launch in the US last Friday. The film received a generally positive critical response, including a five-star review from the Guardian UK, and reports suggested it was expected to make its mark in US cinemas. Its British opening put it ahead of the previous record holder ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’. But it has a long way to go to match the takings of the year’s biggest film so far, ‘Jurassic World’, which has grossed more than £1bn worldwide. The film’s £200m budget means that it is some way off turning a profit, with one report suggesting the bill for cars written off during filming alone was £24m. “We set the record for smashing up cars on ‘Spectre’,” Gary Powell, the film’s chief stunt coordinator, told the Mail on Sunday. “In Rome, we wrecked millions of pounds’ worth. They
she ignored it because she felt it could not be true. There was however uproar as the Gulder convoy drove into The Presbyterian Church as it coincided with the period the couple and invited guests were taking photographs. As Benjamin stepped out of the Gulder branded car Hyundai Elantra car, there was uproar of celebration as members of his community who recognized him deciphered that their ‘son’ had just won a brand new car. Even the bride who was initially vexed that her wedding ceremony was disrupted became joyous when she learnt her relative won the Gulder Ultimate Chase car. A weeping Benjamin then made his way to his father knelt and said: “Daddy, I brought the Gulder car to you. I told you I was going to do it and I’ve done it.” His father replied: “Thank you Jesus, my son said he was going to bring this car and take me home. Oh God, I came with keke,
were going into the Vatican at top speeds of 110mph. We shot one entire night for four seconds of film.” The Sam Mendes-directed ‘Spectre’ is the 24th instalment of the Bond franchise and Daniel Craig’s fourth outing in the title role. He has given mixed signals over whether he intends to continue as Bond, leading to speculation over who might replace him if he decides to stand down. In early October, he said he would rather “slash his wrists” than reprise the role. “No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on,” he said, when asked in an open interview with Time Out magazine if he was considering another outing as Bond. But in an interview with the Mail on Sunday’s Event magazine just days earlier, he was more equivocal. “It’s getting harder. But such is life. I’ll keep going as long as I’m physically able. I’m contracted for one more – but I’m not going to make predictions,” he said.
now I’m going home with a brand new car. I am overwhelmed. I am happy.” In furtherance of the celebration, the Gulder brand team donated 10 crates of the alcoholic brand to the wedding celebrants. According to Benjamin, on their drive home, his parents directed him to switch off the car’s air-conditioning system and wind down the glass. His parents then sang and waved to on-lookers who celebrated with them on their way home. Speaking on what pushed him to win the brand new car, the Animal Science and Fishery Management undergraduate said: “We used to own a car, but we had to sell it because of financial issues. Since then, my dad has been going about with keke. When the Chase started, I vowed to win the car for my father. He needs a car because he is 86 years now.” Advising other consumers who are willing to participate in other editions, he said: “I’m a lucky man. Because it’s my first time of participating in the Chase and I won it.
Oko Ashewo (Taxi Driver) hits cinemas today A nollywood movie, Oko Ashewo (Taxi Driver) is set to hit the cinemas across the country today. The movie, from the stables of FilmOne Distribution in conjunction with some notable outfits tells a tale
From left, Favour Essang (Dexterity Plus CEO), Laf’up and Yinka Ayefele (MON)
about the sinister Lagos nightlife as seen from the eyes of a taxi driver, Adigun, olayed by AMVCA winner Femi Jacobs. Adigun is a 31 year old naive village mechanic coming to Lagos for the first time. His decision
Rita Dominic
comes following the sudden death of his father, a man he never truly knew… yet a man very popular in his village as the iconic Lagos taxi driver ‘Oko ashewo’. However, Adigun’s coming to Lagos is on the invitation of Taiwo, his father’s fellow taxi driver played by popular yoruba actor Odunlade Adekola; but Taiwo is dangerous and as shady as Lagos at night. Taxi Driver (Oko Ashewo) tells the story of how Adigun copes with dealing with the multitude of odd characters he comes across from Delia the queen prostitute, to Kakanfo the unseen vigilante, the notorious assassins ‘three wise men’, to the Godfather, Baba Mistura and many more interesting characters that ply their trade in Lagos at night.
Big Bolaji on the band stand
Ini Edo
Kemi Akindoju, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Rita Dominic Akpororo (right) with a guest
All the glitz from AFRIFF 2015 OC Ukejie and wife On Sunday, November 8, 2015, the 2015 edition of the African International Film Festival kicked off with its opening night. The opening night which held at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, Lagos, was a star studded one Celebrities spotted at the event in-
clude Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, OC Ukeje, Lala ‘Kemi’ Akindoju, Uru Eke, Chioma Ude, Kiki Omeili, Deyemi Okanalwon, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Ramsey Nouah, Femi Jacobs, Blessing Effiong, Meg Otanwa, Ijeoma Agu, Seun Ajayi among others. The festival which will run through the week, kicked off with the Africa premiere of the movie ‘Mediterranea,’ a film by Jonas Carpignano. On Saturday, October 3, 2015, the
2015 edition of the AFRIFF Film Selection Soiree held in Lagos, Nigeria. At the soiree, organizers unveiled a total of selected 180 films, out of which 155 are in competition. Speaking on bringing it back to Lagos, founder Chioma Ude said; “It’s a different scene. It’s larger, so it will take more people. Calabar was fantastic, warm welcoming state, but I felt we have outgrown them for now.” Ude also spoke on the importance
of the film festival to the film industry; “It has helped Nollywood from inception. You have the South African government coming here and talking about co-production, co-distribution and co-financing. That’s huge. That’s one among many,” she said. The first edition of the film festival took place in 2010, in Port Harcourt. The 2011 edition held in Lagos, while the 2013 and 2014 edition held in Calabar.